Programme & Theme

Programme

The programme of 2015 World Water Week consist of over 160 events and 8 workshops. During the 90-minute events, the most relevant topics relating to “Water for Development” will be discussed – i.e. Financing, SDGs, Integrity, Gender issues, Climate Change, Energy, Sanitation, Food, Conflict Resolution, Water Management…

Download the pdf version of our programme or visit the online programme website to find out more about the topics that will be covered during World Water Week

Thematic Scope – Water for Development

2015 is the target year for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Although considerable progress has been made, the targets to achieve improved access to key basic services during the first 15 years of this century will not be fully reached. About one billion people will still lack access to safe water and even more lack access to basic sanitation. About one billion people will still be without electricity and will go to bed hungry – largely the same underprivileged poor.

The challenge remains for the world community in 2015, to formulate, commit to and to urgently pursue a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Water is central to these challenges. Our lives and livelihoods, and that of all other living creatures, depend on water. Without it we cannot sustain a productive economy, live healthy lives or produce food, energy and other basic necessities and commodities.

World Water Week in Stockholm will continue to focus on these issues, and the vital role water plays in addressing them. From “water and food security” in 2012, “water cooperation” in 2013 and “water and energy” in 2014, we look forward to highlighting the importance of “water for development” in 2015.

For more than 100 years, The Rockefeller Foundation’s mission has been to promote the well-being of humanity throughout the world. Today, the Foundation pursues this mission through dual goals: advancing inclusive economies that expand opportunities for more broadly shared prosperity, and building resilience by enabling people, communities and institutions to be prepared for, withstand, and emerge stronger from shocks and chronic stresses.

UNDP believes sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation, and to water for a wide range of productive uses, are vital to human development and to achieving many of the MDGs and suggested SDGs. UNDP helps countries make progress towards these goals by promoting effective water governance including environmental, economic and social aspects.

WaterAid is an international NGO that believes access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene are essential to sustainable economic, social and human development. That’s why it was natural for us to accept the invitation to be a Key Collaborating Partner for the 2015 World Water Week that has a special focus on water and development.

WaterAid seeks to drive change across the world by influencing and working with communities, organisations and governments so that everyone, everywhere can realise their human rights to safe water, sanitation and hygiene , with a special focus on the poorest and most marginalised communities.

Convening Organisations

Whilst World Water Week is organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute, the programme of the events are planned by the convening organisations of the conference.

In order to build partnerships and bring a diversity of perspectives to the World Water Week, SIWI promotes cooperation and encourages organisations to co-convene at the conference.

The organisations convening events or workshops at 2015 World Water Week are:

Plenary Sessions

In 2015, World Water Week in Stockholm celebrates its 25th anniversary. The official opening ceremony will appreciate our common achievements and discuss how we best should address the challenges ahead, in the next 25 years.

2015 is a momentous year in terms of global policy, with several important UN processes and discussions taking place to set the strategy for our common future. Speakers will reflect upon the importance of water for sustainable development, what it implies, and demands, from the global community. They will also consider the way in which water is the thread linking the UN processes and explain the role sustainable water resources management will play in the achievement of coherent, efficient implementation of agreed solutions.

2015 signifies great possibilities for global development, a set of Sustainable Development Goals will be decided at the UN General Assembly High-Level Summit in September 2015, a new global climate deal is anticipated at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris in December, and a Post-2015 Disaster Risk Reduction Framework will be developed. The synergies between the UN processes and the need for water considerations in these deliberations is substantial.

The Closing Plenary will help to tie together discussions from the Week and the significance of water knowledge to these negotiations. Speakers will discuss the possible outcomes of each summit, the extent to which they provide building blocks for long-term coherent and efficient implementation, and what is needed to ensure necessary actions are taken.

On 25 August we will organise two field visits that are connected with two of the workshops of the World Water Week.

All participants attending the Week on Tuesday will be free to join, please note that priority will be given to participants of the workshop. Tickets will be distributed during the workshop connected to the visit.

Workshop “Sustainable Cities: a pipe dream or realistic future” will visit the Stockholm Royal Seaport to learn more about the environmentally profiled urban project.

Workshop Information technologies for a smarter water future will visit Ericsson ICT Labs to learn more the most recent innovative ICT solutions.

On 28 August afternoon, we will organize three field visits to interesting locations around Stockholm. With different focuses on water and forestry, water and energy, and finally water and innovation, we hope that everyone can feel welcome to join us for an inspiring afternoon.

Tickets can be purchased when registering for the World Water Week.

The field visits that will ve organised are:

Water, Forest and People – how can forestry secure water resources?

The Hammarby plant – a part of the circular economy

Get to know Peepoo – the self-sanitising, biodegradable, household toilet

Scientific Programme Committees

The Scientific Programme Committee (SPC) is comprised of a number of professors, scientists and experts from the water and development fields. The work of the SPC involves setting the overall theme and scope for World Water Week in Stockholm.

The Committee also determines the workshop topics, selects from submitted abstracts and develops the workshop programmes. It is aided in its work by the Young Scientific Programme Committee.

The Young Scientific Programme Committee (YSPC) initiative began in 2012 as a complimentary initiative to support the World Water Week Scientific Programme Committee.

The YSPC provides professionals at the beginning of their careers with the valuable opportunity of collaborating with top level scientists and water professionals to develop the World Water Week programme.

This exposure to the thematic heart of one of the most renowned water conferences is of great benefit to the career development of YSPC members, who also gain increased visibility within the water community in the process.

At the same time, the Scientific Programme Committee members benefit from the involvement of young professionals who contribute different input and generational perspectives.

Young Professionals Activities

World Water Week specially invites young professionals at the start of their careers to take part in the work for a water wise world. The Young Professionals’ Day is all about inspiring, motivating and empowering young people. During this day we open the doors free of charge for enthusiasts under the age of 35. In specially designed seminars and workshops we want to inspire, encourage and showcase ways to engage. Come and join young professionals from all over the world!

Contact and registration

The theme for 2015 is Career Paths and the three seminars each give inspirational and useful insights on how to get started. We start the day with identifying keys for successful youth engagement followed by a round-robin session on how to use technological innovations and new media in development work. After lunch we will share experiences with innovative ways to engage off the beaten tracks.

During the week we also provide networking possibilities at the Young Professionals Mingle and the YP-booth, opportunities to show bright ideas at the Ideas Marketplace and a CV clinic to help boost your resume.

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